The modern WTCC A.I. have trouble with 1st gear. From what I've tested, the GT3, DTM '92 and even the 2013 WTCC don't have any trouble, it's the more modern WTCC cars that struggle with 1st gear acceleration. They are fine at race start but if they happen to fall below a certain speed in 1st (e.g. Macau at the hairpin; or after a collision or a spin) they are painfully slow to accelerate away. This gives the player a big advantage.